79 Ford F-150 Stands Above the Rest, Literally
Daily Slideshow: Few trucks look cooler than a lifted, late '70s, 4x4 Ford pickup. And this one might just be the cream of the crop.
King of the Mountain
As incredibly popular as four-wheel drive pickups are these days, you'd never know that few opted for them back in the '70s. Which is a shame, really. Because in our humble opinion, few trucks look more awesome than a lifted, 4x4, late '70s Ford. Don't believe us? Just scope out this gorgeous '79 F-150 we spotted over at Streetside Classics.
Tasty Combo
This old Ford has all the right stuff that you'd want in a classic pickup. Not only because it's four-wheel drive, but it also sports a short bed, something else you don't see a lot of from this era. Throw in a killer black and silver two-tone paint job, and you've got a real winner.
>>Join the conversation about this classic 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT right here in Ford-trucks.com.
New Level
Of course, the previous owner of this beauty wasn't quite content leaving it stock. And who can blame them? Thus, a 6-inch lift kit takes the F-150 to an entirely new level, both literally and figuratively.
>>Join the conversation about this classic 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Formula for Success
Throw in some new wheels and beefy BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires, and you've got a recipe for success. There aren't any other obvious external mods, because you don't need them. A nice lift and the right rolling stock sets off this beauty perfectly.
>>Join the conversation about this classic 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Luxury Laden
Inside this Ranger XLT model, you'll find a nicely preserved interior devoid of any flashy upgrades. Cloth inserts on the vinyl bench are akin to what we call a luxury option these days, which is pretty funny when you think about it.
>>Join the conversation about this classic 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Wood Grain Wheel
There's also the requisite wood-look trim pieces, which adorn the steering wheel, dash, and door panels. Pretty much everything is stock, save for a new radio. But even that is a tasteful Retrosound unit, so few people will even notice.
>>Join the conversation about this classic 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT right here in Ford-trucks.com.
One Big Upgrade
The biggest change, except for the suspension upgrade, lies under the hood. This F-150 originally came equipped with a 351, but that's long gone now. In its place lies a beefy 429, which is our idea of an upgrade.
>>Join the conversation about this classic 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Hidden Secrets
Thanks to a stock Ford blue air cleaner and valve covers, you might think that this engine was there to begin with. But it's also hiding a four-barrel carb underneath that restrictive shroud. Otherwise, only those in the know are going to notice this ain't your average V8.
>>Join the conversation about this classic 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Under Control
Look underneath, and things are pretty tidy there, too. You'll undoubtedly notice the BDS front suspension and 3-speed automatic transmission as well. Out in the back, a limited-slip differential helps keep things under control, despite the torquey 429's best efforts.
>>Join the conversation about this classic 1979 F-150 Ranger XLT right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Definition of Perfection
All-in-all, this '79 F-150 is our idea of the perfect truck. It still retains all the things we love about this generation but has tasteful upgrades where they're welcome. And if that isn't the very definition of perfection, we don't know what is!